Everybody like to look at pictures so take a look at the entries to the IFAJ Photo Contest. They have some good ones to judge. Hopefully we can enter next year. The awards will be presented at the upcoming 2005 IFAJ Congress which we’ll be blogging.
AgWired reports on IFAJ Congress 2005 are sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred.
While I’m on the topic of ethanol I wanted to point you to the upcoming Biofuels Workshop & Trade Show – East Region that’s being organized by the folks at BBI International. They are really into this ethanol conference thing with the recent Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Kansas City and one coming up in China later this year!
The Biofuels Workshop & Trade Show – Eastern & Atlantic Region is the second regional conference to focus on near-term development of commercial-scale ethanol and biodiesel production and use. In 2004, The Biofuels Workshop & Trade Show Western & Pacific Region in Sacramento, California, presented important technical and political issues that can enable biofuels production and use in the Western United States and Canada, and the Pacific Rim.
The main objectives of the 2005 conference program are to exchange information and expertise that targets regional development of a biofuels industry; bring together key people that can facilitate the development of a biofuels industry; offer reliable and viable technology options; and identify action steps to create a path forward. The Biofuels Workshop was an important opportunity to share resources, expertise, services, products and technology with this rapidly emerging biofuels industry.
You can register here.
I picked up a card about ethanol-jobs.com at the recent Fuel Ethanol Workshop and have been meaning to post a notice about it. It’s a very nicely done website by the folks at BBI International that is exactly what it says it is – an online ethanol industry job bank for both those looking for a job or to hire someone. It’s very easy to use and I like the simple, clean design.
The big are getting bigger. Or should I say the biggest is getting bigger.
Tractor Supply Company Signs Letter of Intent to Acquire Del’s Farm Supply
– Provides Second Retail Concept and Entry into Northwest Market –
BRENTWOOD, Tenn., July 22 – Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ:TSCO) , the largest retail farm and ranch store chain in the United States, today announced it has signed a letter of intent to purchase privately-held Del’s Farm Supply, Inc. (“Del’s”). Based in Lakewood, Washington, Del’s operates 17 stores, primarily in the Pacific Northwest, that offer a wide selection of products tailored to those who enjoy the rural lifestyle. Del’s specializes in the equine, animal and pet category, which accounts for approximately 70% of its sales. For the year ended December 31, 2004, Del’s generated approximately $34 million in sales.
The acquisition is subject to negotiation and execution of a definitive acquisition agreement that is expected to include representations, warranties, covenants and closing conditions typical for a transaction of this type. There can be no assurances that the parties will enter into a definitive acquisition agreement, that the conditions to closing will be satisfied, or that consummation of this transaction will occur.
For more information contact Melissa Merrill, +1-212-850-5600.
The National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB) officially announced their new Executive Director today. He’s Bill O’Neill. I think it’s very interesting to see a broadcast organization (that I’ve long belonged to) hire a “print” person. There are certainly challenges ahead for NAFB and maybe Bill can bring some new ideas to the organization to help them out! Look for an interview with Bill here as soon as I can get in touch with him. Gene, good job in the interim. I agree with Emery.
NAFB President Emery Kleven had this to say:
It is my pleasure to announce that Bill O’Neill will join NAFB as the new Executive Director effective August 1, 2005. This is the position that Gene Millard has held since the first of this year. Gene will stay on during this transition period in a consulting capacity until our November convention in Kansas City. At that time, his continuing role with NAFB will be determined.
Gene Millard was hired as Executive Director of NAFB to take the position vacated by Ken Root on January 15, 2005. Gene informed the NAFB Board of Directors at that time that he did not see this as a long-term position, especially with his commitments to other industry boards and the operation of Millard Family Farms. He agreed to serve as Executive Director for up to two years or until a suitable candidate could be identified. Neither Gene, nor the board wanted to use the Interim Director title, as we wanted to give him full authority to do the business of the association. On this point, he has done work above and beyond what was expected. His many years of management have helped NAFB become a more efficient organization. Gene focused on establishing solid business operations and prepared NAFB for a productive future.
One of the many roles given Gene when he became Executive Director was to at some point, find and identify a person who would be capable of taking over the position as the NAFB Executive. This was a process that could take 6 months or 18 months. There was no definite timeline on it. As it turned out, we became aware of a highly qualified candidate, Bill O’Neill.
Bill was with Vance Publishing in Lenexa, Kansas for more than 28 years as an editor, publisher and from 1998 – 2004, he served as Executive Vice-President. Among his duties, Bill had responsibility for Vance’s largest revenue brand group and two of the company’s agricultural Divisions, as well as corporate promotion.
Bill has been chair/board member of the Partnership for Food Industry Development, USAID and Michigan State University, E. Lansing, Michigan and a Trustee at the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism and Communications, Lawrence, Kansas. Bill has been and still is very active in his church and community.
Bill brings broad experience in business-to-business services, media brand and product startups, client relationship management, and organizational leadership and development.
The NAFB executive committee and the entire board engaged in several discussions about this important decision. We wanted to do what was best for NAFB. We understand the importance of positioning our industry for the future and being receptive to new ideas that can bring economic successes and professional recognition to farm broadcasting. We believe Bill O’Neill is the person who is best qualified and experienced to lead NAFB as we continue in our 62nd year. I believe he is the right person at the right time for NAFB. I hope you will welcome him to the ‘NAFB family’.
For Gene Millard, to say thank you seems not to be enough. He has worked long and hard these past several months to set a very stable platform from which we can all work from and benefit from. It’s my hope that we will continue to gain from his wealth of knowledge and experience in this industry.
Thank you
I wonder if they’re doing any radio for this announcement? Not only would the products be difficult to say but what they treat is even more difficult.
Boehringer Ingelheim receives approval
for simultaneous use of oral vaccines in swine
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (July 19, 2005) – Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., received approval for simultaneous use of Enterisol® Ileitis FF, Enterisol® SC-54 FF and Ingelvac® ERY-ALC from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) division of the Department of Agriculture.
The new claim allows swine producers to administer the three oral vaccines simultaneously while maintaining the efficacy of each vaccine and saving management time and labor expenses. The use of simultaneous vaccination also allows veterinarians and producers the option to utilize a single medication-free window for oral vaccine administration.
For more information contact R. Kelly Schwalbe at 816-474-3166.
According to the latest news from the Plant Management Network a video on soybean rust is now available from Today’s Ag. You can find the report here, An In-Depth Look at Soybean Rust.
This is a sweet story. Apparently it used to cost a lot of money to have the molds made for your custom chocolate. No longer with Schoko Logo. These folks say they’ve got a new technology that makes it a lot less expensive to sweeten up your next trade show booth or conference.
Promotional Chocolates – New technology from Choco-Logo to elevate quality while reducing costs.
July 22, 2005 – Choco-Logo has developed a new technology for producing custom chocolates Without the restrictions of the usual chocolate molds. The products include the tiniest details and sharpest edges. Moreover, the new technology enables Choco-Logo to do this at no extra cost to the customer – no setup or mold fees.
Choco-Logo gives every company the opportunity to literally show their sweet side: With a love for detail, this company crafts logos out of the finest Belgian chocolate. Custom chocolates can be produced now with writing and graphics of perfect quality and with the highest resolution.
For more information contact Bernhard Schulz.
I missed this story from a couple months ago by Wayne Hurlbert about the comparisons between blogging and farming in which he points to the musings on this subject by the Pro Blogger, Darren Rowse. Wayne also links to comments on this subject at Return Customer.
Wayne says, “Darren quotes his friend who farms in Australia. Darren’s friend compares building up a blog, and developing a readership to the business of agriculture. Both businesses require patience along with the necessary inputs of labour and capital. Risks are inherent in both blogging and in agriculture.
Note that the weather and crop prices are out of the hands of the farmer. The search engine algorithms of Google, Yahoo, and MSN are also out of the blogger’s hands. In both cases, planning and research of the markets and environment are necessary to reduce that risk to manageable levels.
Over time, both produce a crop, and hopefully, a profit.”
Well said.
To better serve the needs of agricultural communicators, the Agricultural Relations Council would like your input on a few questions. These questions will help the ARC Board plan future professional development activities. Please take a few minutes to visit the following site and provide your input.
